Understanding "CLOUD_DRAW_DISTANCE=" in FSX.cfg

Just trying to get a good understanding of what this setting does in the FSX.cfg.

First, I understand that "CLOUD_DRAW_DISTANCE=8" is the max slider setting in the UI, 110 miles.  With this or a lesser value, the clouds are rendered at up to the maximum specified distance, centered on the user's aircraft.  OK, fine.  Simple enough.

The value entered in the FSX.cfg can be higher than "8".  I've used values as high as 16 and 32.  When a value higher than "8" is used, depending on conditions the clouds render at a greater distance than what an "8" entry yeilds.  This way you can see the tops of very distant cumulonimbus clouds that rise above the horizon's haze layer, and can be quite a nice effect.  However, with a setting higher than "8", it seems the distance that clouds are rendered is a radius centered on a static point instead of the user's aircraft (i.e. the user's selected starting airport at the beginning of the flight session).  If I use a setting of "16", then take off from an airport and continue to fly in any one direction, eventually I come to the outer "edge", beyond which clouds are no longer rendered.  However, FSX still thinks clouds exist beyond this perimeter if the weather data calls for them, and weather stations will report clouds even though you don't actually see them anymore.  Funny.

If you use "32" instead of "16", the outer edge is pushed out even further, but it's still a finite radius based on a static center.  I figured - possibly incorrectly -  that when a value of more than "8" is used, it becomes a cloud distance rendering multiplier, so 16 = 160 miles, 32 = 320 miles, etc. 

So I experimented and for the hell of it tried using "2500" to equate with the circumference of the earth!  After selecting [FLY!] to start, the flight began to load, but nothing else happened.

My question is:  Am I correct in my assumption of what values higher than "8" mean, and does anyone know if there is a hard limit to this setting?

Thanks!