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i jut did the Mad bypass. i then ran a new volt gauge wired out of a switched hot from the fusebox and grounded at the dash frame

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I don't want to be a PIA but also here you have several points that can melt down with bad maintenance.
Things melt down when you have loose connections, corroded connections, half-cut thru wires etc. An ammeter with tight connections doesn't melt down, it's a solid piece of metal and will probably be the last thing that melts down in your car.
But, with loose connections and bad connectors things happen!