Voltage

[scruffboy]

This may seem like a dumb question, but I have no electrical capabilities. How can I tell if my battery is being charged by my alternator? I had an old battery and it recently died. I noticed that the voltometer would usually read over 12 and fluctuate as I accelerated and decelerated. Then last week the rear wiper motor stopped working. Then I noticed it was taking longer for the windows to go up and down. Then the other day the battery just quit. Very slight turnover than nothing. I jumpstarted it, but noticed when I was idling all the dash warning lights were on. I put in a new battery, and VAROOM, she starts right up. Now the needle is at 12 and pretty much stays there. All the electrical motors run in good condition. I checked my belts and they are all tight. Did I just have an old battery (it came with the car when I bought it), or could there be something else going on. (I guess I'll know in a couple of weeks anyway, but I'd rather not get suprised).


Thanks,

James in NJ