you might grab an inline fuse holder at your parts house for a buck or 2 ,the kind w a pigtail on each end & add 2 alligator clips a large one & a small one & disconnect either batt cable at the battery & put this in series with a 20 or 30 amp glass fuse to protect your baby until you get this sorted out & it might take a 5 pack(or more) but smoking wires is a no no. A circuit breaker would be even better(dont know which type).