Can Condensor pad be wood??

You can make base of anything you want but it would be nice rubber and cork isolation pads for outside rubber alone would do fine From Dido

Will it last 20 - 30 years sitting on the bare ground without rotting or being eaten by insects??

building code in my area dictates either a concrete pad or an approved composite (plastic) pad specifically made for ac units. Also, the condensing unit must me mechanically secured to such pad for seismic restraint.

"seismic restraint." Are you joking some one in part of country were you live needs head examination. Dido

The way they do it is a little messed up IMHO.... but the "seismic restraint" is serious and for real in earthquake country.

Where is the thing gonna go? Just fall off the pad?

suppose its mounted on the roof of a 2 story bldg....

upright water heaters also require seismic restraint

hanging fancoils and furnaces require sesimic restraint.

sheet metal duct systems hanging lower than 12" from structural framing requires seismic restraint, as do all light fixtures and grills in t-bar ceilings. hell even the t-bar ceiling grid requires seismic restraint, and the inspectors are very anal about all aspects of seismic restraint.

just because we dont feel all of them, does not mean they arent occurring on a very regular basis.

Fall off the pad onto the roof?

OK-- I kind of see this one-- especially for gas heaters.

Fall over?

WTF? You mean you don't attach them to the building otherwise?

Women fake orgasims. So what? As long as I get mine...

I'd check with the local codes department. Most likely pressure treated or marine grade wood should last long enough.

You left out Navy, Coast Guard, Army and Air force grade ;o)

How high are they talking about making this thing? Here (San Antonio Tx) the slabs have to be at least 3" above grade and the same size as the unit. I cannot imagine it being that unsightly, but you could put a wood border around it if you wanted. Even if for some reason you have to have the unit much higher than that, you could still attach lattice, or thin strips of wood to a concrete pad in whatever design you like. Larry

Thanks. I never knew that. Figured it meant that the wood could be under water all the time.

Those guys look good in uniform. But not tough enough to be laying on the ground with a condensor on your chest for 10 to 15 years.

It can be wood as long as it's level and pressure treated. I'd go with concrete and paint it personally.

Could always make a wood frame and fill it up with gravel then set the condenser on the gravel

The point made here is, that you need to STFU! How can you make a recommendation to use "marine grade wood" when you do not know what it is. What part of this cant you comprehend???

S*it, did I give you credit for having any wisdom because of your sig? I take it back; you are a true asshole idiot, in my opinion. Damn stupid f*ck.

Nope. Pressure treated is often not preferred in marine applications because the pressure treating reduces it's ability to get good paint adhesion.

Marine grade commonly is applied to plywood and it means that when the plywood is manufactured any knots are removed and voids filled on every ply. On regular plywood this is only done on the finish, aka surface, ply.