does the alt cycle on and off as the air heater cycles.Or is the dimming of the lights purely the load of the heater.the reason i ask is we have a truck running with a old style regulator and now the airheater does not seem to be working as it should.

 

when i first start my truck the amp gauge flexes a bit until the alternator kicks in to its full charge cycle , i have a cold air intake and a banks air - air ( intercooler) and because i have so much cold air my grid heater cant keep up with the amount of air

 

answer? yes!
if your lights are not dimming, it ain't working.
the regulator has nothing to do with it.