2001 Ford Explorer, 6 cylinder, 4x4 160,00 miles+...After sitting for less than 5 minutes, vehicle received a new battery. Fired right up, sat parked for 1 hr then had NO juice. Cable Clamps leaking?

Replaced BTX-65-650 original battery, with a 675 c.c.amps replacement from Sears,
after it had sat for less than 5-mins, and wouldn't start. Fired right up, moved it and
parked it for less than an hour, and it wouldn't start again, and the new battery was
completely dead. tapped the starter for possible solenoid freeze from cold weather, and
jumped it, in which it fired back up again. Ran for 25-mins, then moved to fill tank
(same parking lot in which the battery was replaced in), and after filling, wouldn't start
again. Further inspected the starter ground cable connection, and found it to be
unprotected, and iced from winter weather elements and low temps. wiped connecting
stud off, moved cable to insure secure connection, tapped on starter again, and it fired
right up again..! Thinking the clamp style on battery connection is bleeding the battery,
and the added exposure of starter cable, enhanced disfunction in the starting process /
system. Is there a specific type/style of clamp end for ford explorer's, and/or does; not
having the felt in-between the battery and the seat of cable clamp, cause the the
battery to seep/pull it's charge out and become a faulty unclosed circuit..???
Alternately, does the starter draw any type/level of charge/energy from battery while in
the off state..???