EX-31.1

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OR RULE 15d-14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Dean L. Cash, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of ATEL Capital Equipment Fund VII, L.P.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 13, 2013

/s/ Dean L. Cash Dean L. Cash President and Chief Executive Officer of ATEL Financial Services, LLC (General Partner)

EX-31.2

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a) OR RULE 15d-14(a)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Paritosh K. Choksi, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of ATEL Capital Equipment Fund VII, L.P.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

d) Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 13, 2013

/s/ Paritosh K. Choksi Paritosh K. Choksi Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of ATEL Financial Services, LLC (General Partner)

EX-32.1

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. §1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
§906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of ATEL Capital Equipment Fund VII, L.P. (the “Partnership”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2013 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Dean L. Cash, President and Chief Executive Officer of ATEL Financial Services, LLC, General Partner of the Partnership, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. §1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership.

Date: August 13, 2013

/s/ Dean L. Cash Dean L. Cash President and Chief Executive Officer of ATEL Financial Services, LLC (General Partner)

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Partnership and will be retained by the Partnership and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

EX-32.2

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. §1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
§906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the Quarterly Report of ATEL Capital Equipment Fund VII, L.P. (the “Partnership”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2013 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Paritosh K. Choksi, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of ATEL Financial Services, LLC, General Partner of the Partnership, hereby certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. 1350, as adopted pursuant to §906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Partnership.

Date: August 13, 2013

/s/ Paritosh K. Choksi Paritosh K. Choksi Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of ATEL Financial Services, LLC (General Partner)

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to the Partnership and will be retained by the Partnership and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Geographic Information Relating to Sources, by Nation, of Partnership's Total Revenue and Long-Lived Assets

The table below summarizes geographic information relating to the sources, by nation, of the Partnership’s total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 and long-lived tangible assets as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

		For The Six Months Ended June 30,
		2013	% of Total		2012	% of Total
Revenue
United States	$	1,367	90%	$	2,218	93%
Canada		160	10%		160	7%
Total International		160	10%		160	7%
Total	$	1,527	100%	$	2,378	100%
		As of June 30,			As of December 31,
		2013	% of Total		2012	% of Total
Long-lived assets
United States	$	6,142	96%	$	6,525	96%
Canada		240	4%		240	4%
Total International		240	4%		240	4%
Total	$	6,382	100%	$	6,765	100%

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Statements of Income (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Leasing activities:
Operating leases	$ 679	$ 1,029	$ 1,441	$ 2,119
Direct financing leases	11	46	33	99
Gain on sales of assets	14	125	53	154
Other				6
Total revenues	704	1,200	1,527	2,378
Expenses:
Depreciation of operating lease assets	105	120	219	243
Marine vessel maintenance and other operating costs			61
Cost reimbursements to General Partner	52	51	117	132
Equipment and incentive management fees to General Partner	13	28	39	62
Railcar and equipment maintenance	115	212	244	369
Professional fees	6	66	41	107
Insurance	31	4	47	6
Outside services	23	18	47	37
Other management fees	24	42	48	86
Equipment storage	3	2	5	4
Franchise fees and state taxes	15	15	16	15
Freight and shipping	13	2	19	3
Provision for credit losses	81	63	194	261
Property taxes		1	12	1
Postage	3	9	9	14
Printing and photocopying		11	12	21
Other	36	17	79	51
Total operating expenses	520	661	1,209	1,412
Net income	184	539	318	966
Net income:
General Partner
Limited Partners	184	539	318	966
Net income	$ 184	$ 539	$ 318	$ 966
Net income per Limited Partnership Unit	0.01	0.04	0.02	0.06
Weighted average number of Units outstanding	14,985,550	14,985,550	14,985,550	14,985,550

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Allowance for Credit Losses

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Allowance for Credit Losses [Abstract]

Allowance for Credit Losses

3. Allowance for credit losses:

The Partnership’s allowance for credit losses are as follows (in thousands):

		Accounts Receivable Allowance for Doubtful Accounts				Valuation Adjustments on Financing Receivables		Total Allowance for Credit Losses
		Finance Leases		Operating Leases		Finance Leases
Balance December 31, 2011	$	10	$	1	$	-	$	11
(Reversal of provision) provision		(10)		132		-		122
Balance December 31, 2012		-		133		-		133
Provision		-		194		-		194
Balance June 30, 2013	$	-	$	327	$	-	$	327

Accounts receivable

Accounts receivable represent the amounts billed under operating and direct financing lease contracts which are currently due to the Partnership.

Allowances for doubtful accounts are typically established based upon their aging and historical charge off and collection experience and the creditworthiness of specifically identified lessees, and invoiced amounts. Accounts receivable deemed uncollectible are generally charged off against the allowance on a specific identification basis. Recoveries of amounts that were previously written-off are recorded as other income in the period received.

Accounts receivable are generally placed in a non-accrual status (i.e., no revenue is recognized) when payments are more than 90 days past due. Additionally, management periodically reviews the creditworthiness of companies with lease payments outstanding less than 90 days. Based upon management’s judgment, such leases may be placed in non-accrual status. Leases placed on non-accrual status are only returned to an accrual status when the account has been brought current and management believes recovery of the remaining unpaid receivable is probable. Until such time, all payments received are applied only against outstanding principal balances.

Financing receivables

In addition to the allowance established for delinquent accounts receivable, the total allowance related solely to financing receivables also includes anticipated impairment charges on direct financing leases.

The asset underlying a direct financing lease contract is considered impaired if the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of the asset are less than its net book value. The estimated undiscounted future cash flows are the sum of the estimated residual value of the asset at the end of the asset’s expected holding period and estimates of undiscounted future rents. The residual value assumes, among other things, that the asset is utilized normally in an open, unrestricted and stable market. Short-term fluctuations in the marketplace are disregarded and it is assumed that there is no necessity either to dispose of a significant number of the assets, if held in quantity, simultaneously or to dispose of the asset quickly.

3. Allowance for credit losses (continued):

As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Partnership did not record an allowance for credit losses related to its financing receivables. The Partnership’s recorded investment in financing receivables at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

June 30, 2013		Finance Leases		Total
Allowance for credit losses:
Ending balance	$	-	$	-
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	-	$	-
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	-	$	-
Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	$	-	$	-
Financing receivables:
Ending balance	$	65	$	65
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	65	$	65
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	-	$	-
Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	$	-	$	-
December 31, 2012		Finance Leases		Total
Allowance for credit losses:
Ending balance	$	-	$	-
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	-	$	-
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	-	$	-
Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	$	-	$	-
Financing receivables:
Ending balance	$	197	$	197
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	197	$	197
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	-	$	-
Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	$	-	$	-

The Partnership evaluates the credit quality of its financing receivables on a scale equivalent to the following quality indicators related to corporate risk profiles:

Pass – Any account whose lessee/debtor, co-lessee/debtor or any guarantor has a credit rating on publicly traded or privately placed debt issues as rated by Moody’s or S&P for either Senior Unsecured debt, Long Term Issuer rating or Issuer rating that are in the tiers of ratings generally recognized by the investment community as constituting an Investment Grade credit rating; or, has been determined by the General Partner to be an Investment Grade Equivalent or High Quality Corporate Credit per its Credit Policy or has a Not Rated internal rating by the General Partner and the account is not considered by the Chief Credit Officer of the General Partner to fall into one of the three risk profiles below.

Special Mention – Any traditional corporate type account with potential weaknesses (e.g. large net losses or major industry downturns) or, any growth capital account that has less than three months of cash as of the end of the calendar quarter to fund their continuing operations. These accounts deserve management’s close attention. If left uncorrected, those potential weaknesses may result in deterioration of the Fund’s receivable at some future date.

3. Allowance for credit losses (continued):

Substandard – Any account that is inadequately protected by the current worth and paying capacity of the borrower or of the collateral pledged, if any. Accounts that are so classified have a well-defined weakness or weaknesses that jeopardize the liquidation of the debt. They are characterized by the distinct possibility that the Fund will sustain some loss as the likelihood of fully collecting all receivables may be questionable if the deficiencies are not corrected. Such accounts are on the General Partner’s Credit Watch List.

Doubtful – Any account where the weaknesses make collection or liquidation in full, on the basis of currently existing facts, conditions, and values, highly questionable and improbable. Accordingly, an account that is so classified is on the General Partner’s Credit Watch List, and has been declared in default and the General Partner has repossessed, or is attempting to repossess, the equipment it financed.This category includes impaired leases as applicable.

At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Partnership’s financing receivables by credit quality indicator and by class of financing receivables are as follows (in thousands):

		Finance Leases
		June 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
Pass	$	65	$	197
Special mention		-		-
Substandard		-		-
Doubtful		-		-
Total	$	65	$	197

At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012,  investment in financing receivables is aged as follows (in thousands):

June 30, 2013		31-60 Days Past Due		61-90 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Total Financing Receivables		Recorded Investment > 90 Days and Accruing
Finance leases	$	-	$	10	$	-	$	10	$	55	$	65	$	-

December 31, 2012		31-60 Days Past Due		61-90 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Total Financing Receivables		Recorded Investment > 90 Days and Accruing
Finance leases	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	197	$	197	$	-

The Partnership did not carry an impairment reserve on its financing receivables at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.  At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were no investments in financing receivables with related accounts receivable past due more than 90 days which were still on an accrual basis.

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Allowance for Credit Losses (Narrative) (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013
Minimum [Member]
Accounts receivable period for non accrual status	90 days
Maximum [Member]
Equipment and lessee period of review for impairment	90 days

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Allowance for Credit Losses (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Allowance for Credit Losses [Abstract]

Activity in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

The Partnership’s allowance for credit losses are as follows (in thousands):

		Accounts Receivable Allowance for Doubtful Accounts				Valuation Adjustments on Financing Receivables		Total Allowance for Credit Losses
		Finance Leases		Operating Leases		Finance Leases
Balance December 31, 2011	$	10	$	1	$	-	$	11
(Reversal of provision) provision		(10)		132		-		122
Balance December 31, 2012		-		133		-		133
Provision		-		194		-		194
Balance June 30, 2013	$	-	$	327	$	-	$	327

Recorded Investment in Financing Receivables

The Partnership’s recorded investment in financing receivables at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

June 30, 2013		Finance Leases		Total
Allowance for credit losses:
Ending balance	$	-	$	-
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	-	$	-
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	-	$	-
Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	$	-	$	-
Financing receivables:
Ending balance	$	65	$	65
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	65	$	65
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	-	$	-
Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	$	-	$	-
December 31, 2012		Finance Leases		Total
Allowance for credit losses:
Ending balance	$	-	$	-
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	-	$	-
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	-	$	-
Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	$	-	$	-
Financing receivables:
Ending balance	$	197	$	197
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	$	197	$	197
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment	$	-	$	-
Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality	$	-	$	-

Financing Receivables by Credit Quality Indicator and by Class

At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Partnership’s financing receivables by credit quality indicator and by class of financing receivables are as follows (in thousands):

		Finance Leases
		June 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
Pass	$	65	$	197
Special mention		-		-
Substandard		-		-
Doubtful		-		-
Total	$	65	$	197

Net Investment in Financing Receivables by Age

At June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012,  investment in financing receivables is aged as follows (in thousands):

June 30, 2013		31-60 Days Past Due		61-90 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Total Financing Receivables		Recorded Investment > 90 Days and Accruing
Finance leases	$	-	$	10	$	-	$	10	$	55	$	65	$	-

December 31, 2012		31-60 Days Past Due		61-90 Days Past Due		Greater Than 90 Days		Total Past Due		Current		Total Financing Receivables		Recorded Investment > 90 Days and Accruing
Finance leases	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	-	$	197	$	197	$	-

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Allowance for Credit Losses (Financing Receivables by Credit Quality Indicator and Class) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Finance Leases	$ 65	$ 197
Pass [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Finance Leases	65	197
Special Mention [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Finance Leases
Substandard [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Finance Leases
Doubtful [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment [Line Items]
Finance Leases

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Allowance for Credit Losses (Allowance for Credit Losses and Recorded Investment in Financing Receivables) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Allowances for credit losses:
Ending balance
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality
Financing receivables:
Ending balance	65	197
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	65	197
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality
Finance Leases [Member]
Allowances for credit losses:
Ending balance
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality
Financing receivables:
Ending balance	65	197
Ending balance: individually evaluated for impairment	65	197
Ending balance: collectively evaluated for impairment
Ending balance: loans acquired with deteriorated credit quality

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Related Party Transactions (Narrative) (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Incentive management fees as a percentage of cash distributions from operations	4.00%
Operating Leases [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equipment management fees as a percentage of gross revenue	3.50%
Full Payout Leases [Member]
Related Party Transaction [Line Items]
Equipment management fees as a percentage of gross revenue	2.00%

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Investments in Equipment and Leases, Net (Property on Operating Leases) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended					6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013 Transportation [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Marine Vessels [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Materials Handling [Member]	Dec. 31, 2012 Materials Handling [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Total Property Subject to or Available For Operating Lease [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Less Accumulated Depreciation [Member]
Property Subject to or Available for Operating Lease [Line Items]
Balance December 31, 2012	$ 5,284	$ 28,689	$ 7,400	$ 83	$ 83	$ 36,172	$ (30,888)
Additions	(219)						(219)
Reclassifications or Dispositions	(1,352)	(181)	(7,400)			(7,581)	6,229
Balance June 30, 2013	$ 3,713	$ 28,508		$ 83	$ 83	$ 28,591	$ (24,878)

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Allowance for Credit Losses (Activity in Allowance for Doubtful Accounts) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	$ 133	$ 11
(Reversal of provision) provision	194	122
Ending Balance	327	133
Finance Leases [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning Balance
(Reversal of provision) provision
Ending Balance
Accounts Receivable Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] | Finance Leases [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning Balance		10
(Reversal of provision) provision		(10)
Accounts Receivable Allowance for Doubtful Accounts [Member] | Operating Leases [Member]
Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Line Items]
Beginning Balance	133	1
(Reversal of provision) provision	194	132
Ending Balance	$ 327	$ 133

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Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital (Parenthetical) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012
Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital [Abstract]
Distributions to Limited Partners, per unit	$ 0.18

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Organization and Limited Liability Partnership Matters

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Organization and Limited Liability Partnership Matters [Abstract]

Organization and Limited Liability Partnership Matters

1. Organization and Limited Partnership matters:

ATEL Capital Equipment Fund VII, L.P. (the “Partnership” or the “Fund”) was formed under the laws of the State of California on May 17, 1996 for the purpose of acquiring equipment to engage in equipment leasing and sales activities, primarily in the United States. The Partnership may continue until December 31, 2017. The General Partner of the Partnership is ATEL Financial Services, LLC (“AFS”), a California limited liability company. Prior to converting to a limited liability company structure, AFS was formerly known as ATEL Financial Corporation.

The Partnership conducted a public offering of 15,000,000 Units of Limited Partnership Interest (“Units”), at a price of $10 per Unit. On January 7, 1997, subscriptions for the minimum number of Units (120,000, $1.2 million) had been received (excluding subscriptions from Pennsylvania investors) and AFS requested that the subscriptions be released to the Partnership. On that date, the Partnership commenced operations in its primary business. Gross contributions in the amount of $150 million (15,000,000 units) were received as of November 27, 1998, exclusive of $500 of initial Partners’ capital investment and $100 of AFS’ capital investment. The offering was terminated on November 27, 1998. As of June 30, 2013,  14,985,550 Units remain issued and outstanding.

The Partnership’s principal objectives have been to invest in a diversified portfolio of equipment that (i) preserves, protects and returns the Partnership’s invested capital; (ii) generates regular distributions to the partners of cash from operations and cash from sales or refinancing, with any balance remaining after certain minimum distributions to be used to purchase additional equipment during the reinvestment period (“Reinvestment Period”) (defined as six full years following the year the offering was terminated), which ended December 31, 2004 and (iii) provides additional distributions following the Reinvestment Period and until all equipment has been sold. The Partnership is governed by its Limited Partnership Agreement (“Partnership Agreement”).

Pursuant to the Partnership Agreement, AFS receives compensation for services rendered and reimbursements for costs incurred on behalf of the Partnership (See Note 5). The Partnership is required to maintain reasonable cash reserves for working capital, the repurchase of Units and contingencies. The repurchase of Units is solely at the discretion of AFS.

As of June 30, 2013, the Partnership continues in the liquidation phase of its life cycle as defined in the Partnership Agreement.

These unaudited interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and notes thereto contained in the report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

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Investments in Equipment and Leases, Net

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Investments in Equipment and Leases, Net [Abstract]

Investments in Equipment and Leases, Net

4. Investment in equipment and leases, net:

The Partnership’s investments in equipment and leases consist of the following (in thousands):

		Balance December 31, 2012		Reclassifications & Additions / Dispositions		Depreciation/ Amortization Expense or Amortization of Leases		Balance June 30, 2013
Net investment in operating leases	$	5,284	$	(1,352)	$	(219)	$	3,713
Net investment in direct financing leases		197		(15)		(132)		50
Assets held for sale or lease, net		1,284		1,335		-		2,619
Total	$	6,765	$	(32)	$	(351)	$	6,382

4. Investment in equipment and leases, net (continued):

Impairment of investments in leases and assets held for sale or lease:

Management periodically reviews the carrying values of its assets on leases and assets held for lease or sale. Impairment losses are recorded as an adjustment to the net investment in operating leases. No impairment losses were recorded during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

The Partnership utilizes a straight line depreciation method over the term of the equipment lease for equipment on operating leases currently in its portfolio. Depreciation expense on the Partnership’s equipment was approximately $105 thousand and $120 thousand for the respective three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, and $219 thousand and $243 thousand for the respective six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

All of the remaining property subject to leases was acquired in the years 1997 to 1998.

Operating leases:

Property on operating leases consists of the following (in thousands):

		Balance December 31, 2012		Additions		Reclassifications or Dispositions		Balance June 30, 2013
Transportation	$	28,689	$	-	$	(181)	$	28,508
Marine vessels		7,400		-		(7,400)		-
Materials handling		83		-		-		83
		36,172		-		(7,581)		28,591
Less accumulated depreciation		(30,888)		(219)		6,229		(24,878)
Total	$	5,284	$	(219)	$	(1,352)	$	3,713

The average estimated residual value for assets on operating leases was 13% and 14% of the assets’ original cost at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.  There were no operating leases in non-accrual status at June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

The Partnership earns revenues from its marine vessels and certain lease assets based on utilization of such assets or through fixed term leases. Contingent rentals (i.e., short-term, operating charter hire payments) and the associated expenses are recorded when earned and/or incurred. The revenues associated with these rentals are included as a component of operating lease revenues and totaled $15 thousand and $58 thousand for the respective three months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, and $30 thousand and $58 thousand for the respective six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

Direct financing leases:

As of June 30, 2013, investment in direct financing leases consists primarily of manufacturing equipment. As of December 31, 2012, such investment consisted primarily of various transportation, ground support and manufacturing equipment. The components of the Partnership’s investment in direct financing leases as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

		June 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
Total minimum lease payments receivable	$	-	$	165
Estimated residual values of leased equipment (unguaranteed)		50		65
Investment in direct financing leases		50		230
Less unearned income		-		(33)
Net investment in direct financing leases	$	50	$	197

The Partnership’s remaining direct financing lease matures on July 1, 2013. At June 30, 2013, the Partnership retained a $50 thousand residual position in the equipment underlying such direct financing lease.

At June 30, 2013, the aggregate amounts of future minimum lease payments are as follows (in thousands):

		Operating Leases
Six months ending December 31, 2013	$	966
Year ending December 31, 2014		724
2015		631
2016		337
2017		311
2018		78
	$	3,047

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

2. Summary of significant accounting policies:

Basis of presentation:

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q as mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of the General Partner, necessary for a fair statement of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no significant effect on the reported financial position or results from operations.

Footnote and tabular amounts are presented in thousands, except as to Units and per Unit data.

In preparing the accompanying unaudited financial statements, the General Partner has reviewed events that have occurred after June 30, 2013, up until the issuance of the financial statements. No events were noted which would require disclosure in the footnotes to the financial statements, or adjustments thereto.

2. Summary of significant accounting policies (continued):

Use of estimates:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Such estimates primarily relate to the determination of residual values at the end of the lease term, expected future cash flows used for impairment analysis purposes, and determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Segment reporting:

The Partnership is not organized by multiple operating segments for the purpose of making operating decisions or assessing performance. Accordingly the Partnership operates in one reportable operating segment in the United States.

However, certain of the Partnership’s lessee customers may have international operations. In these instances, the Partnership is aware that certain equipment, primarily rail and transportation, may periodically exit the country. However, these lessee customers are US-based, and it is impractical for the Partnership to track, on an asset-by-asset and day-by-day basis, where these assets are deployed. The primary geographic regions in which the Partnership sought leasing opportunities were North America and Europe.

The table below summarizes geographic information relating to the sources, by nation, of the Partnership’s total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 and long-lived tangible assets as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

		For The Six Months Ended June 30,
		2013	% of Total		2012	% of Total
Revenue
United States	$	1,367	90%	$	2,218	93%
Canada		160	10%		160	7%
Total International		160	10%		160	7%
Total	$	1,527	100%	$	2,378	100%
		As of June 30,			As of December 31,
		2013	% of Total		2012	% of Total
Long-lived assets
United States	$	6,142	96%	$	6,525	96%
Canada		240	4%		240	4%
Total International		240	4%		240	4%
Total	$	6,382	100%	$	6,765	100%

Per Unit data:

Net income and distributions per Unit are based upon the weighted average number of Limited Partnership Units outstanding during the period.

Recent accounting pronouncements:

Recent accounting standards updates as issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) were evaluated and determined to be not applicable to the Partnership.

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Allowance for Credit Losses (Net Investment in Financing Receivables by Age) (Details) (Finance Leases [Member], USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Finance Leases [Member]
Financing Receivable, Recorded Investment, Past Due [Line Items]
31-60 Days Past Due
61-90 Days Past Due	10
Greater Than 90 Days
Total Past Due	10
Current	55	197
Total financing receivable	65	197
Recorded Investment > 90 Days and Accruing

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Investments in Equipment And Leases, Net (Components of Partnership's Investment in Direct Financing Leases) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Investments in Equipment and Leases, Net [Abstract]
Total minimum lease payments receivable		$ 165
Estimated residual values of leased, equipment (unguaranteed)	50	65
Investment in direct financing leases	50	230
Less unearned income		(33)
Net investment in direct financing leases	$ 50	$ 197

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Partners' Capital (Narrative) (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Limited Partners' capital account, units issued	14,985,550	14,985,550	14,985,550
Limited Partners' capital account, units outstanding	14,985,550	14,985,550	14,985,550
Limited Partners' capital account, units authorized		15,000,000	15,000,000
Partnership right to repurchase Units of a Unitholder	100.00%
Percentage of cash distributions from operations as incentive management fee	4.00%
Initial Limited Partners [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Limited Partners' capital account, units issued		50	50
Limited Partner [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Allocation of net income, net losses, and distributions	92.50%
General Partner [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Allocation of net income, net losses, and distributions	7.50%
First [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Percentage of cash distributions from sales or refinancing as annual return on invested capital	10.00%
First [Member] | Limited Partner [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Percentage of cash distributions from operations	88.50%
Percentage of cash distribution from sales or refinancing	92.50%
First [Member] | General Partner [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Percentage of cash distributions from operations	7.50%
Percentage of cash distribution from sales or refinancing	7.50%
First [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Percentage of cash distributions from operations	4.00%
Thereafter [Member] | Limited Partner [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Percentage of cash distributions from sales or refinancing as annual return on invested capital	10.00%
Second [Member] | Limited Partner [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Percentage of cash distributions from operations	85.00%
Percentage of cash distribution from sales or refinancing	85.00%
Second [Member] | General Partner [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Percentage of cash distributions from operations as incentive management fee	7.50%
Percentage of cash distribution from sales or refinancing	7.50%
Second [Member] | Affiliated Entity [Member]
Other Members Capital Account [Line Items]
Percentage of cash distributions from operations as incentive management fee	7.50%
Percentage of cash distribution from sales or refinancing	7.50%

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Balance Sheets (Parenthetical) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Balance Sheets [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 327	$ 133
Investments in equipment and leases, accumulated depreciation	$ 38,585	$ 38,658

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Guarantees

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Guarantees [Abstract]

Guarantees

7. Guarantees:

The Partnership enters into contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications. The Partnership’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown. However, the Partnership has not had prior claims or losses pursuant to these contracts and expects the risk of loss to be remote.

The General Partner knows of no facts or circumstances that would make the Partnership’s contractual commitments outside standard mutual covenants applicable to commercial transactions between businesses. Accordingly, the Partnership believes that these indemnification obligations are made in the ordinary course of business as part of standard commercial and industry practice, and that any potential liability under the Partnership’s similar commitments is remote. Should any such indemnification obligation become payable, the Partnership would separately record and/or disclose such liability in accordance with GAAP.

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Statements of Changes in Partners' Capital (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data	Limited Partner [Member]	General Partner [Member]	Total
Beginning Balance at Dec. 31, 2011	$ 7,883		$ 7,883
Beginning Balance (in units) at Dec. 31, 2011	14,985,550
Distributions to Limited Partners ($0.18 per Unit)	(2,623)		(2,623)
Distributions to General Partner		(213)	(213)
Net income	1,921	213	2,134
Ending Balance at Dec. 31, 2012	7,181		7,181
Ending Balance (in units) at Dec. 31, 2012	14,985,550
Net income	318		318
Ending Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	$ 7,499		$ 7,499
Ending Balance (in units) at Jun. 30, 2013	14,985,550

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Balance Sheets (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,433	$ 686
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $327 as of June 30, 2013 and $133 as of December 31, 2012	217	652
Investments in equipment and leases, net of accumulated depreciation of $38,585 as of June 30, 2013 and $38,658 as of December 31, 2012	6,382	6,765
Prepaid expenses and other assets	22	17
Total assets	8,054	8,120
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
General Partner	230	420
Other	289	421
Unearned operating lease income	36	98
Total liabilities	555	939
Commitments and contingencies
Partners' capital:
General Partner
Limited Partners	7,499	7,181
Total Partners' capital	7,499	7,181
Total liabilities and Partners' capital	$ 8,054	$ 8,120

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Investments in Equipment and Leases, Net (Narrative) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Investments in Equipment and Leases, Net [Abstract]
Depreciation of operating lease assets	$ 105	$ 120	$ 219	$ 243
Contingent rental revenue	$ 15	$ 58	$ 30	$ 58

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Summary of Geographic Information Relating to Sources, by Nation, of Partnership's Total Revenue and Long-Lived Assets) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Dec. 31, 2012
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 704	$ 1,200	$ 1,527	$ 2,378
Percentage of total revenue			100.00%	100.00%
Long-lived assets	6,382		6,382		6,765
Percentage of long lived assets	100.00%		100.00%		100.00%
United States [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues			1,367	2,218
Percentage of total revenue			90.00%	93.00%
Long-lived assets	6,142		6,142		6,525
Percentage of long lived assets	96.00%		96.00%		96.00%
Canada [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues			160	160
Percentage of total revenue			10.00%	7.00%
Long-lived assets	240		240		240
Percentage of long lived assets	4.00%		4.00%		4.00%
Total International [Member]
Revenues from External Customers and Long-Lived Assets [Line Items]
Revenues			160	160
Percentage of total revenue			10.00%	7.00%
Long-lived assets	$ 240		$ 240		$ 240
Percentage of long lived assets	4.00%		4.00%		4.00%

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Related Party Transactions (Affiliates Earned Commissions and Billed for Reimbursements Pursuant to Operating Agreement (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Related Party Transactions [Abstract]
Cost reimbursements to General Partner	$ 52	$ 51	$ 117	$ 132
Equipment and incentive management fees to General Partner	13	28	39	62
Related Party Transaction, Expenses from Transactions with Related Party, Total	$ 65	$ 79	$ 156	$ 194

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Gain Contingencies (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013 item
Gain Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain Contingency, unrecorded amount	$ 2,800,000
Fleet Manager [Member]
Gain Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain Contingency, unrecorded amount	2,800,000
Gain contingency, number of vessels	3
Gain contingency, percentage of fross proceeds	10.00%
Fleet Manager [Member] | ATEL Capital Equipment Fund VII, L.P. [Member]
Gain Contingencies [Line Items]
Gain Contingency, unrecorded amount	1,400,000
Legal fees and costs	$ 350,000

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Gain Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Gain Contingencies [Abstract]

Gain Contingencies

6. Gain contingencies:

The Partnership’s vessel activity in the Gulf of Mexico was severely impacted by the British Petroleum (“BP”) “Deep Water Horizon” oil spill of 2010 which severely adversely impacted charter activity in the Gulf region. BP established a program to compensate those businesses and individuals suffering economic hardship and loss as a result of the Deep Water Horizon oil spill. The Partnership submitted a claim to the BP program administrator seeking an approximate $2.8 million for loss of revenues during the period of the vessel’s diminished activity commencing at the time of the oil spill and continuing through 2010. The BP claim administrator denied the Partnership’s claim on the basis that the Partnership suffered damages as a result of the President’s moratorium on oil drilling subsequent to the Deep Water Horizon accident. The Partnership believes its claim continues to be of merit, and has opted out of the BP claims fund, and is pursuing a claim in a collective action with other similarly situated plaintiffs. Currently, the amount of any compensation or award from BP is extremely difficult to determine. As such, the potential for compensation or award has not been recorded on the Partnership’s books and records.

ATEL filed a claim on behalf of the Partnership and certain affiliated entities in Federal court in New Orleans for the under-reporting of revenue by a fleet manager of three marine vessels, seeking to recover an approximate amount of 10% of gross proceeds, which in the aggregate for all affiliated entities represents $2.8 million for the years 2005-2007 (of which the Partnership’s portion is an approximate $1.4 million). The annual allocable portion of the claim is not considered material to the Partnership in any given year. The trial was concluded during the first week of August 2012. In October 2012, the matter was remitted to the Federal Judge to render a decision on both the law and the facts. The decision of the Court was rendered at the end of June 2013 and the court found in favor of the defendants. The Partnership filed an appeal of the court’s decision and is hopeful for a recovery of all or portion of its asserted claims, but the outcome of the litigation remains uncertain as of such date. As a result of the ruling, the defendants have filed a claim for legal fees and costs, of which the Partnership’s portion would amount to approximately $350 thousand, however, this claim remains in dispute pending the outcome of the appeal, and a final award in favor of either party remains uncertain at this time.

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Investments in Equipment and Leases, Net (Investment in Leases) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013
Leases Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance December 31, 2012	$ 6,765
Reclassifications, Additions/ Dispositions	(32)
Depreciation/ Amortization Expense or Amortization of Leases	(351)
Balance June 30, 2013	6,382
Operating Leases [Member]
Leases Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance December 31, 2012	5,284
Reclassifications, Additions/ Dispositions	(1,352)
Depreciation/ Amortization Expense or Amortization of Leases	(219)
Balance June 30, 2013	3,713
Direct Financing Leases [Member]
Leases Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance December 31, 2012	197
Reclassifications, Additions/ Dispositions	(15)
Depreciation/ Amortization Expense or Amortization of Leases	(132)
Balance June 30, 2013	50
Assets Held For Sale or Lease [Member]
Leases Disclosure [Line Items]
Balance December 31, 2012	1,284
Reclassifications, Additions/ Dispositions	1,335
Balance June 30, 2013	$ 2,619

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policy)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Basis of Presentation

Basis of presentation:

The accompanying unaudited financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q as mandated by the Securities and Exchange Commission. The unaudited interim financial statements reflect all adjustments which are, in the opinion of the General Partner, necessary for a fair statement of financial position and results of operations for the interim periods presented. All such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature. Operating results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year.

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications had no significant effect on the reported financial position or results from operations.

Footnote and tabular amounts are presented in thousands, except as to Units and per Unit data.

In preparing the accompanying unaudited financial statements, the General Partner has reviewed events that have occurred after June 30, 2013, up until the issuance of the financial statements. No events were noted which would require disclosure in the footnotes to the financial statements, or adjustments thereto.

Use of Estimates

Use of estimates:

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Such estimates primarily relate to the determination of residual values at the end of the lease term, expected future cash flows used for impairment analysis purposes, and determination of the allowance for doubtful accounts.

Segment Reporting

Segment reporting:

The Partnership is not organized by multiple operating segments for the purpose of making operating decisions or assessing performance. Accordingly the Partnership operates in one reportable operating segment in the United States.

However, certain of the Partnership’s lessee customers may have international operations. In these instances, the Partnership is aware that certain equipment, primarily rail and transportation, may periodically exit the country. However, these lessee customers are US-based, and it is impractical for the Partnership to track, on an asset-by-asset and day-by-day basis, where these assets are deployed. The primary geographic regions in which the Partnership sought leasing opportunities were North America and Europe.

The table below summarizes geographic information relating to the sources, by nation, of the Partnership’s total revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012 and long-lived tangible assets as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 (dollars in thousands):

		For The Six Months Ended June 30,
		2013	% of Total		2012	% of Total
Revenue
United States	$	1,367	90%	$	2,218	93%
Canada		160	10%		160	7%
Total International		160	10%		160	7%
Total	$	1,527	100%	$	2,378	100%
		As of June 30,			As of December 31,
		2013	% of Total		2012	% of Total
Long-lived assets
United States	$	6,142	96%	$	6,525	96%
Canada		240	4%		240	4%
Total International		240	4%		240	4%
Total	$	6,382	100%	$	6,765	100%

Per Unit Data

Per Unit data:

Net income and distributions per Unit are based upon the weighted average number of Limited Partnership Units outstanding during the period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recent accounting pronouncements:

Recent accounting standards updates as issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) were evaluated and determined to be not applicable to the Partnership.

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Related Party Transactions

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions

5. Related party transactions:

The terms of the Partnership Agreement provide that AFS and/or affiliates are entitled to receive certain fees for equipment management and resale and for management of the Partnership.

The Partnership Agreement allows for the reimbursement of costs incurred by AFS in providing administrative services to the Partnership. Administrative services provided include Partnership accounting, investor relations, legal counsel and lease and equipment documentation. AFS is not reimbursed for services whereby it is entitled to receive a separate fee as compensation for such services, such as disposition of equipment. The Partnership will be liable for certain future costs to be incurred by AFS to manage the administrative services provided to the Partnership.

Each of ATEL Leasing Corporation (“ALC”) and AFS is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ATEL Capital Group and performs services for the Partnership. Acquisition services, equipment management, lease administration and asset disposition services are performed by ALC; investor relations, communications services and general administrative services are performed by AFS.

Cost reimbursements to the General Partner are based on its costs incurred in performing administrative services for the Partnership. These costs are allocated to each managed entity based on certain criteria such as total assets, number of investors or contributed capital based upon the type of cost incurred, subject to limitations as described below.

Incentive management fees are computed as 4.0% of distributions of cash from operations, as defined in the Partnership Agreement and equipment management fees are computed as 3.5% of gross revenues from operating leases, as defined in the Partnership Agreement plus 2.0% of gross revenues from full payout leases, as defined in the Partnership Agreement.

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, AFS and/or affiliates earned fees and commissions, and billed for reimbursements, pursuant to the Partnership Agreement as follows (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30,				June 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
Cost reimbursements to General Partner	$	52	$	51	$	117	$	132
Equipment and incentive management fees to General Partner		13		28		39		62
	$	65	$	79	$	156	$	194

5. Related party transactions (continued):

The Fund’s Limited Partnership Agreement places an annual and cumulative limit for cost reimbursements to AFS and/or its affiliates. Any reimbursable costs incurred by AFS and/or affiliates during the year exceeding the annual and/or cumulative limits cannot be reimbursed in the current year, though such costs may be reimbursable in future years to the extent such amounts may be payable if within the annual and cumulative limits in such future years. The Fund is a finite life and self-liquidating entity, and AFS and its affiliates have no recourse against the Fund for the amount of any unpaid excess reimbursable administrative expenses.

The Fund will continue to require administrative services from AFS and its affiliates through the end of its term, and will therefore continue to incur reimbursable administrative expenses in each year. For the year ending December 31, 2013, it is not anticipated that the amount of reimbursable expenses billed to the Fund will exceed either the annual or the cumulative limitations. Such is reflective of the continued diminishing Fund asset base over which reimbursements are calculated.

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Statements of Cash Flows (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2012
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 184	$ 539	$ 318	$ 966
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Gain on sales of assets	(14)	(125)	(53)	(154)
Depreciation of operating lease assets	105	120	219	243
Provision for credit losses	81	63	194	261
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	153	(92)	241	(135)
Prepaid expenses and other assets	(8)	(9)	(5)	(9)
Accounts payable, General Partner	(37)	(46)	(190)	(361)
Accounts payable, Other	(21)	(27)	(132)	(52)
Unearned lease income	(123)	(54)	(62)	(8)
Net cash provided by operating activities	320	369	530	751
Investing activities:
Proceeds from sales of lease assets	23	165	85	210
Principal payments received on direct financing leases	65	47	132	90
Net cash provided by investing activities	88	212	217	300
Financing activities:
Net cash provided by financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	408	581	747	1,051
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	1,025	1,824	686	1,354
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	1,433	2,405	1,433	2,405
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for taxes	$ 39	$ 39	$ 40	$ 39

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Investments in Equipment And Leases, Net (Future Minimum Lease Payments Receivable) (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013
Operating Leases
Six months ending December 31, 2013	$ 966
Year ending December 31, 2014	724
2015	631
2016	337
2017	311
2018	78
Operating Leases, Future Minimum Payments Receivable, Total	$ 3,047

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Investments In Equipment And Leases, Net (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Investments in Equipment and Leases, Net [Abstract]

Investment in Leases

The Partnership’s investments in equipment and leases consist of the following (in thousands):

		Balance December 31, 2012		Reclassifications & Additions / Dispositions		Depreciation/ Amortization Expense or Amortization of Leases		Balance June 30, 2013
Net investment in operating leases	$	5,284	$	(1,352)	$	(219)	$	3,713
Net investment in direct financing leases		197		(15)		(132)		50
Assets held for sale or lease, net		1,284		1,335		-		2,619
Total	$	6,765	$	(32)	$	(351)	$	6,382

Property on Operating Leases

Property on operating leases consists of the following (in thousands):

		Balance December 31, 2012		Additions		Reclassifications or Dispositions		Balance June 30, 2013
Transportation	$	28,689	$	-	$	(181)	$	28,508
Marine vessels		7,400		-		(7,400)		-
Materials handling		83		-		-		83
		36,172		-		(7,581)		28,591
Less accumulated depreciation		(30,888)		(219)		6,229		(24,878)
Total	$	5,284	$	(219)	$	(1,352)	$	3,713

Components of Partnership's Investment in Direct Financing Leases

The components of the Partnership’s investment in direct financing leases as of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012 are as follows (in thousands):

		June 30, 2013		December 31, 2012
Total minimum lease payments receivable	$	-	$	165
Estimated residual values of leased equipment (unguaranteed)		50		65
Investment in direct financing leases		50		230
Less unearned income		-		(33)
Net investment in direct financing leases	$	50	$	197

Future Minimum Lease Payments Receivable

At June 30, 2013, the aggregate amounts of future minimum lease payments are as follows (in thousands):

		Operating Leases
Six months ending December 31, 2013	$	966
Year ending December 31, 2014		724
2015		631
2016		337
2017		311
2018		78
	$	3,047

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Partners' Capital

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Partners' Capital [Abstract]

Partners' Capital

8. Partners’ capital:

As of June 30, 2013 and December 31, 2012, 14,985,550 Units were issued and outstanding. The Partnership had been authorized to issue up to 15,000,000 Units, in addition to the 50 Units issued to the initial Partners.

The Partnership has the right, exercisable at the General Partner’s discretion, but not the obligation, to repurchase Units of a Unitholder who ceases to be a U.S. Citizen, for a price equal to 100% of the holder’s capital account. The Partnership is otherwise permitted, but not required, to repurchase Units upon a holder’s request. The repurchase of Fund Units is made in accordance with Section 13 of the Amended and Restated Agreement of Limited Partnership. The repurchase would be

at the discretion of the General Partner on terms it determines to be appropriate under given circumstances, in the event that the General Partner deems such repurchase to be in the best interest of the Partnership; provided,the Partnership is never required to repurchase any Units. Upon the repurchase of any Units by the Fund, the tendered Units are cancelled. Units repurchased in prior periods were repurchased at amounts representing the original investment less cumulative distributions made to the Unitholder with respect to the Units. All Units repurchased during a quarter are deemed to be repurchased effective the last day of the preceding quarter, and are not deemed to be outstanding during, or entitled to allocations of net income, net loss or distributions for the quarter in which such repurchase occurs.

As defined in the Partnership Agreement, the Partnership’s Net Income, Net Losses, and Distributions are to be allocated 92.5% to the Limited Partners and 7.5% to AFS.

As defined in the Partnership Agreement, available Cash from Operations shall be distributed as follows:

First, Distributions of Cash from Operations shall be 88.5% to the Limited Partners, 7.5% to AFS and 4% to AFS or its affiliate designated as the recipient of the Incentive Management Fee, until the Limited Partners have received Aggregate Distributions in an amount equal to their Original Invested Capital, as defined, plus a 10% per annum cumulative (compounded daily) return on their Adjusted Invested Capital, as defined in the Partnership Agreement.

Second, 85% to the Limited Partners, 7.5% to AFS and 7.5% to AFS or its affiliate designated as the recipient of the Incentive Management Fee.

As defined in the Partnership Agreement, available Cash from Sales or Refinancing are to be distributed as follows:

First, Distributions of Sales or Refinancing shall be 92.5% to the Limited Partners and 7.5% to AFS, until the Limited Partners have received Aggregate Distributions in an amount equal to their Original Invested Capital, as defined, plus a 10% per annum cumulative (compounded daily) return on their Adjusted Invested Capital.

Second, 85% to the Limited Partners, 7.5% to AFS and 7.5% to AFS or its affiliate designated as the recipient of the Incentive Management Fee.

There were no distributions declared or paid during the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012.

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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Narrative) (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013 segment
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	1

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Related Party Transactions (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Affiliates Earned Commissions and Billed for Reimbursements Pursuant to Operating Agreement

During the three and six months ended June 30, 2013 and 2012, AFS and/or affiliates earned fees and commissions, and billed for reimbursements, pursuant to the Partnership Agreement as follows (in thousands):

		Three Months Ended				Six Months Ended
		June 30,				June 30,
		2013		2012		2013		2012
Cost reimbursements to General Partner	$	52	$	51	$	117	$	132
Equipment and incentive management fees to General Partner		13		28		39		62
	$	65	$	79	$	156	$	194

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Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jul. 31, 2013
Document And Entity Information [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2
Entity Registrant Name	ATEL CAPITAL EQUIPMENT FUND VII LP
Entity Central Index Key	0001019542
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Smaller Reporting Company
Entity Units Outstanding		14,985,550

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Organization and Limited Liability Partnership Matters (Narrative) (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended			73 Months Ended	205 Months Ended
	Nov. 27, 1998	Jan. 07, 1997	Nov. 29, 1996	Dec. 31, 2004	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 31, 2012
Organization and Limited Liability Partnership Matters [Abstract]
Partnership business cessation date					Dec. 31, 2017
Public offering of limited partnership units			15,000,000
Public offering price per units			$ 10
Sale of Limited Partnership Units, number of units		120,000
Proceeds from sale of limited partners units		$ 1,200,000
Gross contributions	150,000,000
Gross contributions, number of units	15,000,000
Initial Partners' capital investment	500
AFS' capital investment	$ 100
Units issued					14,985,550	14,985,550	14,985,550
Units outstanding					14,985,550	14,985,550	14,985,550
Reinvestment period				6 years