from my limited experience, the remote keeps trying to do things until it gets a response, or reaches some conclusion like a time out.
So all I can add here, is that this remote maybe trying to accomplish something that you do not know it's doing. That of course eats up power to some extent. Nothing that should kill batteries unless it's just cycling over and over?
The post far above about the Lionel address adds interest to my point.
The very reason that you should always use common DCS versions in all equipment. Otherwise the remote doesn't understand why it's getting or not getting proper responses. It may keep trying and waste power. It may just lock up or slow down severely.
Like when you try to add engines to higher number TIUs (when running multiple TIUs). DCS has gotten more complex and software patches seem to tax the remote's memory capabilities.
I am not a tech and bow out to the techs here and if GRJ is helping you, I only intended to extend extra thoughts to his, and other posts. I follow Stan for ideas too.
I don't take any posts here to heart so no need to post any thoughts towards me. I intend to lend ideas in the way the masters who were here on this very forum helped me over and over. Now they (some of them) are gone.
So again, sorry for any interruptions.