wires getting hot... why?

aint nothing mad about you scientist. i'd say you are pretty close. dgc333 and i agree. not gonna help to d/c the gauge. bulkhead dirty, need cleaned and tightened up. fire no good uness in cylinder. if it starts to melt down don't freak. keep a 1/2 in your pocket and calmly unhook a battery lead. with the key off it should go out. but dont despair, it usually tells you where the problem is. good luck.