[vettestr]

If the wire running to your dash switch is hot and has melted once it is a good bet you are not running a relay. The switched wire on your dash should be used to trigger your relay and not a feed line.

You already mentioned you are going to check other posts here on CC about fan wiring so you are on the right path. I like to use a AWG #10 or better from the battery lug on your alternator or the feed lug on the stater sol. as the relay power source. The dash switch can be aground source for the relay and compliment a parallel run to a grounding temp. sensor .