Battery draining fast

Hi,

I would disconnect the negative battery cable terminal at the battery until you find out what is going on. You could be risking a fire right now.

It sounds like something is not right at the alternator. Either some shorted diodes or perhaps something around the alternator output stud insulator that may have gone wrong as you were cleaning connections. There is a fusible link that should be between the battery and alternator to prevent fires but, many times it get replaced by a plain piece of wire. Disconnect the battery until you get the problem solved!