charging issues

ok i will keep at it. so far, i have a new starter relay = bat + fusible link directly to the black wire side of the gauge. the gauge has been deleted. from the black wire side where it WAS at the bulkhead, directly back to the relay. then a direct connection from the alternator to the + side on the relay. now i have no gauge to tell what it is doing, and im afraid of cooking something, if the short is in the ignition switch or the ignition wire itself. this sucks. an FYI ; the bulkhead connections looked real good, and i havent run across any melted wires, and the gauge and wiring all looked good. i havent been able to locate the welded splice , i have the cluster completely out. if this is in the ignition switch itself, or the wiring , i may have some real trouble finding that out. but thanks guys .i am going to button up what i have so far and hopefully it doesnt burn down lol