Well,
I don't think there's a conspiracy afoot with ChuckE2009 having a problem with the AC arc starts, or that he might have been trying to purposesly sabatoge the demonstration in that way to please existing or previous (Green/Yellow) sponsors of his.
I mean, yeah, I think I recall that the demo of the HF unit was a personal purchase, which may have been a give-away unit, in a Paytreon scheme of some sort, and was not a machine sent from HF for promoting and demonstrating on web.
But I've seen ChuckE videos that favorably compare and contrast Asian-produced units in their value points, warrantee, included items, and usability, against other of his sponsored and promoted units, i.e., Blue-sponsored (Miller) units. And that speaks well to me about his objectivity.
So, I doubt that this is an example of ChuckE2009 being a corruptable demonstrator. But, if it is, it would be the the first example of as much, after many videos done over several years, i.e., not very likely. And, not that I'm subscribed to his YouTube Channel, but if he was really making a purposefully bad example of that HF unit, the contradictory evidence that will undoubtedly follow soon would impinge on his further credibility.
I think ChuckE just got a bad one, or like you say, had a grounding oversight (less likely, but perfectly possible). I mean, I recall that when I watched it, I thought that he probably would have done better to have included some of the initial problem, and to then return the unit immediately, and show the contrast of a soundly performing ProTIG200, as the HF warantee is so easy that way. That's what I was hoping he might have done, and what I would have undoubtedly done. So, yeah, I was a little surprised that he had trouble and didn't bother to compare it with another, exact same unit.
So, who knows, maybe ChuckE2009 will see this thread, and want to take another run at the ProTIG200, by getting a second unit (which he can return at no cost to him, if desired), and ammend his initial video, while also including some clips of the the first unit he had trouble with, and explaining the differences, if there is any. I mean, maybe ChuckE2009 is seeking new video ideas right now, and I just gave him one, at no charge. Ha, ha, ha...
Otherwise, as you mention your rationale on the post-flow, Louie, I'm not hating the idea so much, anymore, about units with non-adjustable or auto-adjusting (amps set at panel?) post-flow of Argon. I mean, it does make for fewer settings to be bothered with, even though more advanced welders of stainless/titanium may rule that lack of adjustability out.
Chuckee is the same guy who dismantled his harbor freight portaband to change the blade....completely idiotic. I am sure his issue with arc starts could have been alleviated by checking the ground and/or using a non contaminated tungsten. I wouldn't put too much faith into anything Chuckee says about anything Harbor Freight. His paying sponsors wouldn't be happy if he said a Harbor Freight welder was just as good as anything in it's price class. I am sure he is biased since he doesn't want to bite the green/yellow hand that feeds him...
...If the machine has a post flow that is 15 seconds too long, then 15 seconds of argon at 20 CFH per hour is 0.08 cubic feet of argon, which cost between 2 and 4 cents depending on where you get your gas and the size of the bottle you buy. You lose more money in the cushion of your couch than you will lose in argon costs.
