Starting problems

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I checked the fluid level in the battery because water was oozing from the caps. I always keep the battery posts clean, but I took the cables off anyway and shined em up with a wire brush. I also felt the positive cable thinking it might be hot but it wasn't. I then jump started it and went for a 20 minute ride. When I got back home i restarted it just to see if it took a charge and it did.
The next morning the battery was dead again. My friend gave me another jump and I was on my way to AutoZone. They checked the battery and the charging system as soon as I arrived. They said the machine didn't find any problem with the battery however the Voltage Regulator was putting out 16.5 volts which was much to high so they say. I was amazed they didn't find a battery drain. I asked if they would check it again in 15-20 minutes. They said no problem. I preceded to finish my 24oz breakfast of champions. When the system was re-checked the second time they found the voltage regulator had a bad diode. I also read that on the machine. not only that but they said the battery wasn't holding a charge to well.
I bought a new VR while I was there and put it on in the parking lot. It took a wopping 5 minutes. While I was on my way home I noticed low power levels with the blinkers and the power windows. When I was about a mile from home I remembered I didn't plug the wire connector back into the VR when I put it on. I started to get really worried about the damage that I could have caused. I pulled over real quick and popped the trunk for the tools and when I started to raise the hood a couple of large dogs came running toward me. What gave them away was their loud barks. I shut the hood real fast and jumped in the car. I know the trunk was still open but I didn't care I just wanted some distance between the mutts. I then shut the trunk. I was about a mile from home so I took it slow not wanting to cause any electrical surges.
So anyways I get home and pluged the connector into the VR and then I went for another 20 minute ride to hopefully charge the battery. To my surprise I haven't had any problems with the car all day.
The batterys warranty expires next month, so I'm going to have the battery re-checked where I paid for it and hopefully I'll get a free one. I know they will notice the new Voltage Reg so I'll have to disquise it and make it appear older.

I'll keep you all filled in with the outcome.

I went to Walmart to have the battery checked out and was told to have the battery replaced because it was putting out only 333 CCA. I took it back to where I bought it and told them I've now have had to different places telling me the battery was bad. I also told them the battery they sold me 11 months ago was not the correct one which at the time cost $42. They ended up honoring the warranty. I could have had that same sized replaced for free, but I wanted the correct one which is the Group 65. It's selling cost was $78. I ended up paying $27 for it. I happy now