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My 1997 Chevy S10 ZR2 cannot keep a charge in a brand new, expensive battery.  Is this a common problem among the older S10's.  What is the cause?  

I'm wondering what kind of condition your alternator is in?  If the battery is working and well connected, the alternator is probably the reason for your S10 going dead.  
Austin Cooper

Thanks for the reply.  I have a new (<10,000 miles) alternator in the vehicle.  I charged the battery two days ago for 24 hours and then let the vehicle sit for 18 hours and it wouldn't start.  When I put the charger back on the battery charger showed only 25% charge.  I recharged it to full again and the truck started right off.  Why would it discharge so quickly?  

Thanks for the reply.  I have a new (<10,000 miles) alternator in the vehicle.  I charged the battery two days ago for 24 hours and then let the vehicle sit for 18 hours and it wouldn't start.  When I put the charger back on the battery charger showed only 25% charge.  I recharged it to full again and the truck started right off.  Why would it discharge so quickly?  

Your battery is discharging fast too.  It might be a bad battery. If these problems weren't happening with your last battery, I suspect the battery might possibly be the problem.  I'd still have the alternator inspected though.  
Austin Cooper