Yes Mike they alternated the polarites on oposite magnets so that they come together S-N. with that they get a bit stronger magnetic field.
What you are talking about "3 leads ", thats called star wiring you can also conect them in delta patern. Just look around that site and check some links out, it will become clear.
You can not get a single phase ut of a 3 phase generator other than using each of the phases seperate rom one and other. That would be the easy way...
It`s more comon that you rectify the three phases with diodes and store the power in an acumulator, then use an inverter to get AC out of it at 240v or 110V.
Now if all you need is 5V DC than just use the power off the acumulator and rectyfie it to the proper voltage.
BUT BE CAREFUL!! If you build a big generator You gotta build a regulator of sorts so you dont blow your acumulator up :lol:
Božo