Alternator charging question/help

[TheInterceptor]

Hey all! Ive recently bought myself a new used AUII!! LOVE IT! Great to be back in an A series Now here's a thread that might be a bit silly to you all.

What has come to my attention with this car is this. The motor doesnt crank over as quick as it should. Today it didnt want to start without some throttle! Starter motor is performing as normal. There an underlying problem here? Anything to do with what im about to say next?
Im using diagnostics mode and im noticing the charging volts keep dropping to 13.8 at random (loaded or unloaded, driving or not driving), generally sat at 14.3 - 14.5 then drops down then goes back up. Ive cleaned the alt up a bit tonight as it was covered in all sortsa muck, now its working better but its going up to 14.7 while idling. Isnt that a bit too high?! haha. It stays there for a bit too!

When i load up the electrics now, it still drops down to 13.8 then goes up to the low 14's. Ive plugged in a cig lighter voltmeter (dont have a multimeter) which reads the same as the cluster but doesnt fluctuate up n down as fast like the cluster. It still gave me a 13.8 reading when loaded.

Am i plain paranoid or is the voltage regulator giving up? Alternator? My recently sold Ford Courier charged at 14.5 and apon loading up the electrics it dropped to no less than 14.3 at idle, constant 14.5 in motion.

Also, when i hit highbeams at idle to load up the electrics, the motor sounds slightly more ...dunno how to describe it but more labored perhaps, it slightly changes its sound at idle. Maybe thats normal...??

Battery is just over 1 year old, the indicator window is green. It was clear (required recharging) apon pickup last week.

Ideas? Hopefully that made some sense.
Thanks.