Is this a common problem?

[AARCuda340+6]

Over the past few weeks I've been having a problem with the battery going dead.
I assumed there must be a drain on the battery from somewhere so I did all the normal checking
that people here on the forum suggest you do.
I disconnect the negative battery cable and hooked a test light between the cable and negative post.
Pulled fuses one by one and all checked out good.  I felt that I had checked everything I could and was ready to call it a day.
I went to connect the cable back onto the battery and I heard a crackling sound and smoke started to rise on the driver side down by the starter.
I took the wire off that connects the starter to the battery and you can see what happened by the picture.
I replaced the wire and hope this solves my problem.
Went for a test drive today and everything seems normal.  The Alt-meter settled down to where it should be right between Charge/Discharge.
It use to always be way over on the charge side and never settled down.
I'll let the car sit for a few days and see if the battery still drains.
I hope this is not a common problem with this wire burning threw and touching the inner fender.
Anyways just thought I'd mention my little problem and hope my explanation made some sense.

[soundcontrol]

Its most common that the starter wires gets burned by headers and short out, if yours shorted out rubbing on the inner fender, its probably been doing that for a while until the plastic insulation wore out and then sparks burned it like that. Engine movement with a starter wire that touches the chassi can result in just that. Just make sure the new wire if not touching the chassis at any point before its tied down.

[brads70]

Nice catch, I had a similar issue  but the battery/starter cable had the " green death" inside of it. Looked fine but wouldn't start. Never noticed a thing till I cut away the red insulation.  Save yourself a flat bed ride home and replace those cables even if they " look" good if they are old.