Testing the alternator probably wouldn't help. The alternator has been working fine for 4 months. Just last week while sitting in the carpool line at my granddaughter's school, I noticed the headlights flashing on the tailgate of the car in front and looked at the voltmeter. It was right at the red with lights and defroster running, which meant the cooling fan was running, too. On the way back home I turned everything off and it continued.
I think the first one was installed around the first of the year, then the second one was in July. The starter isn't running on once the engine starts.