jhz, the starter engine takes off like a shot because the variable circuits, in reducing the voltage, drastically alter the AC wave form. The alteration increases as the amount of reduction increases. To minimize this, reduce the input voltage to the variables to the minimum you need to operate your DCS locos satisfactorily.
As a note, this means that the voltage indicated on the remote will not be accurate, since that is calibrated for about 22 volts input.
