When my batteries run low on power the generator starts up. Most of the time the system works perfectly, but lately the inverter will click and keep clicking and the batteries will not charge, then the entire system shuts off. I am totally off line. Why is the inverter clicking? Why aren't the batteries charging? Why does it sometimes work and sometimes not? What do I check first? The inverter is about 10 years old. It works fine without the generator running. This happens only when the generator is running when the batteries are low.

First I assume that you thinking about kVa not KV? or you really have 10000 Volts generator?

why would you like to add inverter? Considering your setup there is no need for inverter.
the only way you need inverter is when you have dedicated battery bank. This way system would work this way. On sunny day you produce electricity to feed your house and charge battery bank using charger/inverter. Once solar panels atop producing electricity during night system automatically switches to inverter mode and you start using power from batteries. Once batteries goes low then generator kicks in and supply power to home and recharge batteries. Without dedicated batteries there is no use for inverter

Check all the fuses. Sounds like the inverter section has gone south

this sounds like a capasitor/resistor that is getting hot under load once it is switched off and cools down it works until it gets hot again similar to that of a cars ignition coil which will get hot and cut the vehicle out but once it cools it will start again.

idle jet dirty. clean carby thoroughly

First of all it is possible that the is no power going into the inverter,trace the input source to see if the connection from the generator is ok. check the fuse if it is broken if not, the contactor or switching relay in the inverter is bad

What is the voltage you are reading? Is it below 13.2 or so? Also have you checked the current with the engine off to see if something else is working that should not be on. I ran across this twice while working on a truck and car. A relay that was wore out keep trying to close and would drain the battery every couple of months. Sometimes you can hear them clicking or buzzing. Touching them sometimes they are warm or real hot. But that is not a sure sign it is bad. In my Trailblaze they get hot but are ok. Another thougth is the belt on your alt, correctly set to spin it at the right voltage. I have ran across this many times lately with serpatine belts.

the inverter fan just kicks on to keep the system from overheating. Its perfectly normal.

try checking the oil. it might be low

it is possible the batteries are dead or needs to be charged

You are definitely on the right track. When you choose your power inverter consider the following: buy the inverter for around 40% more of your anticiapted load. You will need a double pole transfer switch to isolate the inverter from the generator(and visa versa). A simple double throw double pole switch with fuse or breaker protection should do it. You wouldn't necessarily have to isolate the curbside circuit as the double pole double throw switch would simply be switching the power from the existing generator to your new inverter for only the roadside circuit; i.e. you don't need to worry about the curbside power source as it will always be connected to the other branch circuit. Even if your generator or other source came on the system would be protected no matter what the the roadside configuration was set to as only one source of the 2 roadside power sources would be connected at any give time to the roadside circuit. The six dots represent the connecions for the double pole, double throw switch; shown supplying the new inverter to the roadside circuit while the source from the existing generator or inverter is disconnected via this switch from the roadside circuit:

existing * *------* new power inverter; switched to source
* *------*
^
Middle 2 dots represent your roadside circuit and represent the "throw arm" of the switch. Safe and simple! If you don't have a voltage meter for your batteries you can purchase one for a few bucks. Just run it across the terminals so you will know battery condition as it is being drained (you may already have this indicator) You can find a transfer switch at an electrical supply place, maybe even Lowes. Make sure you get the switch that will be in a protected enclosre. The enclosurre can be purchased seperately if you can't find the switch/enclosure package together.

Good luck....gary