Power flickers when AC kicks on when plugged in or on Generator

[RV_Lee]

This just started happening, the plugged in lights will dim or outright turn off, and plugged in devices stop charging right when the AC kicks on, I am also hearing a clicking noise from the passenger side rear of the RV, the same clicking noise when the inverter turns on.

Once the AC gets going everything goes back to normal, it has never done this before

 

[bigb56]

edit: I missed the title about the generator so disregard my advice, the post below is spot on.

 

[P and D]

Since doing on both generator and shore power you might check transfer switch and see if you loose connections or burnt wires. If those look good will need to monitor li e voltage with meter and see how low it drops. Could it be a compressor starting to fail?

 

[RayIN]

Also, air conditioner start capacitor can be failing. The only way to know what's happening is do as P&D said, take measurments with the proper instruments.
Perhaps the single best tool is a Kill-A-Watt meter that goes between the A/C unit plug and 120V receptacle; just follow included instructions.

BTW, never switch power sources for the RV when the air conditioner is running, or any other heavy demand appliance. It destroys the transfer switch contacts

 

[RV_Lee]

I was boondocking and running the generator (and AC) during the day for 4 days, it started doing it then. I am now plugged in at a park and noticed it doing the same thing. It started doing the "clunk -click-click" noise it makes when I use the inverter off the house battery during the day (no lights) and then earlier tonight I noticed the lights go off and come back on.

I will investigate the transfer switch tomorrow and go from there

Also, inverter is not on when on shore power or generator

 

[RayIN]

Some brands of inverters have a pass-through switch/transfer switch that works at all times, read your inverter owners manual to determine if yours has that feature.
However my moneys on the main transfer switch, make sure all electrical connections are clean and tight-with no power source connected of course.

 

[Bobn1957]

I was boondocking and running the generator (and AC) during the day for 4 days, it started doing it then. I am now plugged in at a park and noticed it doing the same thing. It started doing the "clunk -click-click" noise it makes when I use the inverter off the house battery during the day (no lights) and then earlier tonight I noticed the lights go off and come back on.

I will investigate the transfer switch tomorrow and go from there

Also, inverter is not on when on shore power or generator

No matter what you discover, I recommend replacing the start capacitor and adding a soft start capacitor/relay, it reduces the impact starting the compressor has on the electric system!